The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-17
The County Legislature.

The County Legislature.
The county solons met in their usual quar-
ter at little after two O'Clock on Monday AZ.
ternoon. There were, Of course, no new faces
from abroad, but Sup. Cullen, Of this city,
made a sort OF break in the sameness OF the
prohles.
When the board had felt Of its pencils,
Clerk McKeon read the minutes, and stated
that some changes had been made In the
standing committees. On account of the ina
bllity OF Dryer to play the part Of Conkllng
to finish any more successfully than that
gentleman did, four fat places on prominent
committees were left vacant. Sup. Cullen
was placed in one OF them the finance, and
was also given Lukins place as chairman OF the
committee on roads and bridges; while Luz
kns got Dryers place as chairman OF the
committee to settle with the treasurer, and
was also given the latter's place on the fee
and salary committee. Turney and Werner
were placed on the committee to settle with
the county clerk and recorder, in place of
Dwyer and Lukins.
On motion OF Fades, the claims against the
county were referred to the various commit.
tees without reading.
Tie Supervisor from Utica moved that the
long talked of matter of building tile side
walk, with stone curbing, around the court
house, be referred to the court house and jail
committee, but on amendment, i. was referred
to the public building committee.
ia g.. a a a q
to Thursday morning, but it was shown that
the Board would not be much more than I'M
der way by that time, and he withdrew it.
The board then adjourned to Tuesday morn.
ing at nine O'clock.
TUESDAY,
After the hustle Of becoming a deliberatlve
body had subsidized, the report OF the commit
tee appointed to examine the Sheridan bridge
was read and approved. 1t was a favorable
report and states that the contract has been
carefully carried out.
Sup. Verners petition to release the tax on
the personal property of John J. Finn, OF
Usage, on the ground that it had been taxed
in Livingston county, was allowed.
Sup. Lewis then presented resolution that
seemed to raise the gentle zephyrs of the
usually, calm supervisors room, and effectu
ally thrust them into a cyclone. The sum
and substance of the resolution was, that in
view of the fact that nearly all of the county
notes had been paid off in the interest OF
right and justice, the $4,000 note due Sheriff
Milligan ought also to be paid, and SO moved
Sup. Norton objected to the motion very
strongly, and declared that Milligan owed the
county vast sum of money, which the coun
ty could not get out of him unless it held this
note back.
Sup. Armstrong, of Brookfleld, asked why
it was that these alleged Doodle trials were
had. Why was it that when the defense in
these cases werei ready that the prosecution
always asked for continuance. 1t was be.
cause the prosecutor had no case and knew it
The discussion between Messrs. Norton and
Armstrong then waxed wroth. Using person
al language, Mr. Norton stating that If the
boodlers' attorneys couldn't defend the ex
sheriff, Armstrong and Lewis had better help
them.
Sup. Fischer, Of Mendoza, made short
speech on the same strain as Norton, and Mr.
Lewis arose and asked to be allowed to make
a statement of facts.
"The facts of the case are" said Mr.. Lewis
that at the time this note was given Mr.
Milligan, he held 5000 worth of county or
ders, which he turned over to the county in
exchange for this note. Nr. Milligan has
been present here at every session Of the board
is present now, asking for a settlement, and
none has been granted him. He may be a
criminal, he may not be. But whether he is
or not. he is due a fair and just settlement.
Sup. Norton said that Milligan owes the
county three times the amount Of this note
and il we pay it, we have no redress. Take il
out of court If you will, and / am willing tc
say that it can be arbtrated whenever Mill
gan is willing to do what is right.
States Attorney Moloney then arose to
make few remarks. He said :" I have new
err been opposed to Il settlement OF these civil
suits There is 81 400 that Mr.. Milligan has
been paid twice, and it is said that the county
owes him $4,000. This note is void, and the
interest on it is void. The board had no au
thority to give this note. Take that note and
say to him, you have had the use of 81 400 fol
three wears now we want that 81 400 and in
terest, and we will pay you your note, and
understand in law that he is entitled to ex
penses of his Office and his salary, but he mus
necessarily collect it out of the earnings OF
his office. All that he has been granted above
that is not legal and should be paid back
Whenever he is willing to settle on that basis
| am willing to settle. He has los books, cast
books, ETC., which he refuses to turn over
They were bought and paid for by this coun
ty. How can the states attorney or his rs
sistants make settlements or prosecute cases
when l0S books are Withheld from us. Mill
gan holds these books and says they are hi
private property. Let him bring on the books
and we will settle this matter in very shor
time. If he will bring in his cash books, HI:
foreign service books, we will not have t.
grope in the dark, but can settle in week
We will go three-quarters Of the way to settle
advise you that payment of this note woult
be illegal"
A.NI tl,n